Exploring patient participation in reducing health-care-related safety risks

ANNEX 7.
hANDOVER pROjECT
Paul Barach
Introduction
When a patient’s transition from hospital to home is less than optimal, the repercussions
can be far-reaching – hospital readmission, an adverse medical event, and even mortality.
HANDOVER, 1 which focuses on improving the continuity of patient care in Europe
through identification and implementation of novel patient handover processes, is
the first major European study to assess patient transitions. The goal of the study is to
identify and study patient handover practices and create standardized approaches to
handover communications in six European countries (United Kingdom (England), Italy,
the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden).
This project addresses the challenges of transitioning patients to and from the hospital
to their home and other health care facilities. Without sufficient information and an
understanding of their diagnoses, medication and self-care needs, patients cannot fully
participate in their care during and after hospital stays. WHO, Joint Commission
International and other lead regulatory bodies in the United States, Australia, Canada
and across Europe have identified ineffective handovers of patients as a major public
health problem. Poor coordination of care across and between European border settings
can result in costly, potentially harmful, and often avoidable rehospitalizations. This
three-year, EU FP-7 2 collaboration is the first major European study to assess the
coordination and outcomes of patient transitions and develop new ways to address
patient readmissions. Ineffective and unsafe handover practices consume resources and
lead to much wasted work. Poor coordination of care has a severe effect on patients and
their well-being, health care delivery and the rising costs of health care. Additionally,
poorly designed discharge processes create unnecessary stress for medical staff, causing
failed communications, rework and frustrations. Safer and more coordinated handovers
could increase efficiency and cost–effectiveness of health care interventions and patient
satisfaction.
The objective of the HANDOVER project 3 and the European Research Collaborative
is to better understand how to enhance communication among health care providers,
improve support for patients and families, engage organizations across the continuum of
patient care, track process and outcome measures, and refine the clinical workflow at the
primary care−hospital interface.
1 The participating members of the European HANDOVER Research Collaborative include: Loes Pijnenborg, Julie Johnson,
Beryl Göbel, Cor Kalkman, Richard Lilford, Nicola Novielli, Yen-Fu Chen, Semira Manaseki-Holland, Basia Kutryba,
Halina Kutaj-Wasikowska, Ewa Dudzik-Urbaniak, Marcin Kalinowski, Francesco Venneri, Giulio Toccafondi, Antonio
Molisso, Sara Albolino, Hub Wollersheim, Gijs Hesselink, Lisette Schoonhoven, Myrra Vernooij, Marieke Zegers, Helen
Hansagi, Mariann Olsson, Susanne Bergenbrant, Maria Flink, Gunnar Ohlen, Carola Orrego, Rosa Sunol, Oliver Groene
and Jerry Andriessen.
2 The EU’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research.
3 More information is available on the European Handover Research Collaborative web site (1).
HANDOVER project
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